Life Investors Insurance Co. of America v. Heline

LARSON, Justice.

Plaintiff life insurance companies commenced an action for disinterment for an autopsy to determine the cause of death of an insured. The trial court, concluding the request was not made within a reasonable time, refused to order disinterment. On appeal, we reverse and remand for entry of a disinterment order.

John Heline, husband of the defendant Dorothy M. Heline, died on July 1, 1974. The death certificate stated his death was by natural causes — cardiac arrythmia due to myocardial infarction and “hypertension-obesity.” The body was embalmed and, on July 3, 1974, was buried…